Thursday, December 22, 2005

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Saddam Hussein accused the White House on Thursday of lying, citing its prewar assertions that Iraq had chemical weapons and its denial of his statement that he had been tortured in American custody.

Speaking at the start of the seventh session of his trial on charges of crimes against humanity, the former president rekindled his battle of words with Washington.

"The White House are liars. They said Iraq had chemical weapons," he told the court.

"They lied again when they said that what Saddam said was wrong," he added, referring to a White House dismissal of his claim during Wednesday's hearing that he was tortured.